Centrifugal emulsifier or mixer.



W. RICHMOND.

GENTRIPUGAL EMULSIFIER 0R MIXER.

APPLICATION TILED APR.1,1912.

Patented July 2, 1912.

'fully understood, I will refer to the accompanying drawings, in which To all whom it mdy concern:

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Specification of Letters Patent.

.FFICE.

Patented July 2, 1912.

Application filed April 1, 1912. Serial No. 687,890.

oially adapted to the mixln of liquids and soluble SOlldS such as malte milk, in which it is somewhat difficult to effect a complete solution of the suspended flakes or crystals.

The agitators at present in use for mixing li uids usually consist of a rotary disk, eit or smooth or having notched edges, and in operation theymerely impart a whirling motion to the liquid in a containing vesse Such devices may be employed to agitate or stir liquids such, for instance, as are used for beverages, but they are not ada ted to liquids which must be emulsified an which require an entirely different treatment.

It is the object of my invention to provide an apparatus which will effect a combined centrifugal and cutting action upon the li uid, thereby causing suspended particles togbemore readily taken into solution.

In order that my invention may be more Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is a cross-section of the centrifugal emulsifier on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of the emulsifier; and Fig. 4 is a vertical section'on line 44 of Fig. 3.

The emulsifier 1, is secured to the lower end of a shaft 2, connected by the socket 3. and set-screw 3, to a suitable driving motor- 4, referably an electric motor, which may be iiolted or suspended upon trunnions 5, in a yoke 6, carried by a post 8, which telescopes into a hollow standard 10, so that it may be readily lifted to raise the centrifugal tool 1, clear of the vessel or container 12.

The particular construction of the motor and its support form no part of the present invention, and are merely illustrated in the common conventional manner.

' I have found that while a rapidly rotat-- ing disk, either smooth or notched, may be employed to agitate liquids for the purpose of mixing the ingredients, or'to whip cream, etc., yet such devices are not effective ineausing suspended solid particles to be taken into solution, since this requires something more than a mere agitation, whipping, or churning action.

One of the uses for which my present invention is especially adapted is the rapid emulsifying of malted milk. As is known, it is somewhat diilicult to cause the hard flakes of this substance to enter into solution. I, therefore, provide an apparatus which sets up a circulatory motion throughout the liquid in the vessel or container, and then by a combined centrifugal and cutting action disintegrates the particles and brings them into intimate relation with the liquid. My apparatus first separates the liquid into a large number of minute streams and forcibly expels them outwardly through narrow channels by centrifugal action and then by a rapld cutting action of the outer edges of the channels, these streams'are cut transversely, thereby subjecting the suspended articles to a succession of disintegrating impacts and at the same time bringing these particles into contact with fresh portions of the liquid. This results in an exceedingly rapid emulsification of the contents of the vessel, the suspended particles being taken completely into solution.

My preferred embodiment of this invention, as illustrated in the drawings, comprises a ring or annulus 14, provided with one or' more series of apertures 15, which form channels for the liquid as it is ejected by the action of the blades or partitions 16. The annulus may be secured to the'shaft 2, by means of a spider 18, having a rim 19, fastened to the upper edge of the annulus, or it may be merely carried by the blades which are secured to the shaft. The blades are wide enough toextend above'and below the 1 apertures 15, and may be the same width as 'post 8 is lowered into the standard 10, until the tool 1, is in the position shown. As previously stated, my apparatus is especially adapted for use 1n emulsifying liquids or hastening the action of liquids in dissolving suspended particles, such as flakes and cryswhich are otherwise difficult to dissolve. Thus, by means of my present invention I am enabled to dissolve t e flakes of malted milk with great rapidity, and they are usually taken into solution very slowly. The rapid revolution of the blades 16, which frequently reaches 10,000 revolutions per minute, causes the liquid within the compartments of the centrifugal tool to be ejected through the apertures, thereby setting up circulatory currents in the liquid, as indicated by the arrows. wardly and downwardly in opposite directions and return through the intermediate portion, entering the tool in opposing streams or currents, where they are again thrown outwardly by the action of the blades. The liquid will also partake of the rotary motion of the tool, and will form vortices about the axis of rotation. The blades 16, lie in planes parallel to the axis, and do not act upon the liquid by any propeller or screw action as in some types of churns and mixers, since this would defeat the very purpose of my apparatus, and this distinct-ion should be carefully noted. By

tals,

reason of the parallel position of the blades with respect to the axis, they are inert to produce any upward or downward movement of the liquid, and their action is solely.

to throw the liquid within the tool outward by centrifugal force, the currents in the vessel being set up by the displacement thus caused within the tool and by the motion-of the streams issuing from the apertures 15, which are projected against the sides of the vessel. It will be-observed that the action of my centrifugal tool is entirely different from prior mixing agitators or churning tools. In fact, my device would not operate as-a churning apparatus.

The effectiveness of my centrifugal mixing tool or emulsifier, in'causing suspended .fiakes or solid particles to pass quickly into solution, is due'mainly to the cutting action of the walls and edges of the channels or apertures 15. When the liquid is thrown outwardly by the vertical blades 16, the liquid, with its suspended solids, is crowded lnwardly against the edges pf the-apertures upon the inner side of the annulus 14, as

shown for illustration in one'section or compartment of Fig. 2, and these cutting edges assist in particles. The most effective action of the tool, however, is caused by the cutting edges surrounding the channels or apertures upon the outer periphery of the annulus. As

previously stated, the tool is rotated veryv rapidly, thereby causing the outer edges of the apertures to actually out across or trans- The currents pass up-- breaking up the flakes and solid versely of the minute streams issuing from the apertures. The suspended particles are thereby rapidly disintegrated, and moreover these are continually brought into contact with fresh particles of the liquid. In other words, the suspended particles are first crowded in small streams past the edges of the apertures upon the inside of the annulus, then between the walls of the channels, and immediately upon emerging upon the outside they are cut transversely by the rapidly whirling outer edges surrounding the apertures in the outer wall of the annulus. The importance of these features will be appreciated by those skilled in this art.

I have described indetail the particular construction illustrated in the drawings for the purpose of disclosing an embodiment of my invention, but I am aware that changes may be made therein without departing from my invention as defined by the claims.

I claim 1. A centrifugal mixing tool or emulsifier, comprising a rotary shaft, imperforate radially disposed blades having the planes of their operating surfaces parallel with the axis of said shaft, and an annulus surrounding and secured to said blades and provided with a series of apertures.

2. A centrifugal mixing tool or emulsifier, comprising a rotary shaft, an annulus carried thereby having a series of apertures or channels in its wall, and means for causing liquid in which the tool is immersed to pass into the annulus from opposite directions and to be ejected outwardly through said apertures.

3. A centrifugal mixing tool or emulsifier, comprising a rotary stem or shaft, imperforate radially disposed blades having the planes of their operating surfaces parallel with the axis of said stem, and an annulus surrounding and secured to said blades and provided with a plurality of rows of apertures.

4. A centrifugal mixing tool or emulsifier, comprising a rotary stem or shaft, imperferate radially disposed blades having the planes of their operating surfaces arallel with the axis of said stem, an annu us surrounding and secured to said blades and provided with a series of apertures, and radial arms projecting from said stem and secured to the upper part of the annulus. In testimony whereof I aifix my signature, in presence of two witnesses.

WALTER RICHMOND. 

